Atmospheric levels of CO2 have risen from preindustrial levels
of 280 parts per million (ppm) to present levels of 375 ppm. Evidence suggests this observed
rise in atmospheric CO2 levels is due primarily to
expanding use of fossil fuels for energy. Predictions of global energy use in the next century
suggest a continued increase in carbon emissions and rising concentrations of
CO2 in the atmosphere unless major changes are made in
the way we produce and use energyin particular, how we manage carbon. One way to
manage carbon is to use energy more efficiently to reduce our need for a major energy
and carbon sourcefossil fuel combustion. Another way is to increase our use of
low-carbon and carbon-free fuels and technologies (nuclear power and renewable sources
such as solar energy, wind power, and biomass fuels). Both approaches are supported by the
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The third and newest way to manage carbon is through
carbon sequestration.
Carbon sequestration refers to the provision of long-term storage
of carbon in the terrestrial biosphere, underground, or the oceans so that the buildup
of carbon dioxide (the principal greenhouse gas) concentration in the atmosphere will
reduce or slow. In some cases, this is accomplished by maintaining or enhancing natural
processes; in other cases, novel techniques are developed to dispose of carbon.
DOE's Office of Science is focusing its carbon sequestration efforts on:
- Sequestering Carbon in Underground Geologic Repositories: Geosciences research related
to understanding the geophysics and geochemistry of potential reservoirs appropriate for
subsurface sequestration of carbon dioxide.
- Enhancing the Natural Terrestrial Cycle:
Identifying ways to enhance carbon
sequestration of the terrestrial biosphere through CO2
removal from the atmosphere by vegetation and storage in biomass and soils.
- Current Projects
- Carbon Sequestration in the Oceans: Enhancing
the net oceanic uptake from the atmosphere by fertilization of phytoplankton with nutrients,
and injecting CO2 to ocean depths greater than 1000 meters.
- Sequencing Genomes of Micro-organism for Carbon
Management: Sequencing the genomes of microbes that produce fuels such as methane
and hydrogen or aid in carbon sequestration, to allow an evaluation of their potential
use to produce, for example, methane or hydrogen from either fossil fuels or other
carbonaceous sources, including biomass or even some waste products.
Understanding how carbon dioxide "sinks" perform so we can enhance the ongoing natural
processes, and developing innovative new processes, may add powerful new measures to carbon
management options.
View DOE Office of Science poster
Carbon Sequestration Research Programs in PDF format.